Music by Mary Rodgers
Lyrics by Marshall Barer
Book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer

Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince and help Lady Larken and Sir Harry to the altar? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. For after all, a princess is a delicate thing.

DIRECTION BY HALI CHRISTOPHER
Music Direction by TBD

[ AUDITION DATES ]

APRIL 26-27, 2027

CALLBACKS (if necessary) TBD

Only need to attend ONE day. Choose which days works best for you!
(dates & times subject to change)

[ perforance DATES ]

JUNE 25-26 & JULY 2-3, 2027

[ AGE RANGE ]

• 16+

[ WHERE ]

• TBD

CONTENT ADVISORY: While this production is suitable for all ages, please note there are some innuendos and references to pregnancy.

* Please fill out the online audition form prior to auditions! *

• WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

  AGE RANGE:

  • 16+

  WHAT TO PREPARE:

  • MORE INFO TBD (SEE OUR AUDITION FAQs HERE)

  • Auditionees will only need to come to one night of auditions, unless requested to return.

  • Bring a list of any conflicts you may have during the rehearsal process. April 12 - July 3, 2027

• DATES TO KNOW

  FIRST MANDATORY CAST MEETING/READ THRU/HEADSHOTS:

  • TBD

  BASIC REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:

  Starts April 19 and end on July 3, 2027

  • EXACT REHEARSAL DATES TBD

  • Not all actors may be called for every rehearsal

  • Additional rehearsals may be scheduled during weekends/holidays if scheduling allows

  • Schedule will be finalized after auditions at the director's discretion.

  MANDATORY DRESS REHEARSALS/PERFORMANCES DATES:

  Tech Week: Saturday, June 19 to Thursday, June 24

  • Friday, June 25 at 7:00pm

  • Saturday, June 26 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm

  • Pick Up Rehearsal TBD

  • Friday, July 2 at 7:00pm

  • Saturday, July 3 at 2:00pm & 7:00pm

  (dates and times subject to change)

• BASIC CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

  The ages and gender identities below are the ages and gender identities of the characters. Actors who fall outside of these may still be considered.

  PRINCIPAL ROLES:

  • MINSTREL | Male age 20 - 35 | Tenor
    The handsome narrator of the story, as well as in the musical story line. He becomes smitten with Lady Larken and tries to persuade her to flee to Normandy with him. He and the Jester join forces to stop the Queen's plans.

  • PRINCESS NO.12 | Female age 16-25
    She is the first Princess that the audience sees who is performing the rounds of tests. Very eager, smart, thinks well on her feet – of course the Prince wants to marry her.

  • WIZARD | Male age 60-85 | Baritone
    The egotistical, ex-performer who directly serves the Queen. He is the Queen’s Henchman and thinks of all the Princess’ tests. He prides himself in his position and basically obeys all of the Queen’s orders.

  • LADY LARKEN | Female age 18-27 | Soprano
    Is the Queen’s Lady-in-Waiting but is put in charge of Princess Winnifred. She is madly in love with Sir Harry and desperately wants to marry him because she is pregnant with his baby. She tries to flee the Kingdom after having an argument with Sir Harry, but is convinced by Winnifred to reunite with him.

  • QUEEN AGGRAVAIN | Female age 50-65 | Alto
    The loud, talkative woman who really rules the country. She is an overprotective, stubborn, sly Mom who is trying to keep her son, Prince Dauntless, from getting married.

  • PRINCE DAUNTLESS | Male age 22-35 | Baritone
    A nice, not too smart, everyday type of young Prince who desperately wants to get married, but is prevented by his mother's strict tests that she gives to all potential candidates.

  • KING SEXTIMUS THE SILENT | Male 50-65 | Mute
    A kind, expressive, playful, and comedic character who is silent due to a curse placed upon him by a witch before the birth of Dauntless. He likes to chase girls through the corridors of the castle. Needs good improv skills.

  • JESTER | Male age 25-40 | Tenor
    An energetic and peppy man who is the King's right-hand man and assists him with every endeavor. The Jester also plots with the Minstrel to spoil the Queen's plans.

  • SIR HARRY | Male age 25-35 | Tenor
    He is the Queen’s Champion-in-Arms - the Lancelot of Knights - the macho, slightly egotistical, brave, romantic knight who decides to leave the kingdom to search for a princess, and finds Princess Winnifred in the swamp. Easily jealous, but loves Lady Larken with all his heart. Harry cannot marry Lady Larken until Prince Dauntless has found a suitable bride.

  • PRINCESS WINNIFRED THE WOEBEGONE | Female age 20-30 | Mezzo-soprano belt
    A feisty, outspoken, independent, strong, optimistic, and free-thinking princess from the swamp lands. She isn’t too good with manners. She wants to get married, but must go through the queen's unfair test as well. The Prince, naturally, falls madly in love with her.

  • SIR STUDLEY | Male age 25-45
    A member of the court who dances.

  • LADY MABELLE | Female age 18-25
    She’s French and doesn’t understand English to well – she just tends to say “Yes” a lot.

  • NIGHTENGALE OF SMARKAND | Any gender | age 16-25
    A royal pet that sings a lullaby to put Winnifred to sleep. Must be able to whistle.

  • ENSEMBLE | 16+
    The Ladies-in-Waiting and Knights and are all waiting for the Prince to get married so that THEY can get married to each other. These are character roles and are not just part of the chorus. Includes the following roles:

    • Queen’s Ladies-in-waiting: Lady Rowena, Lady Merrill, Lady Lucille, Lady Helena, Lady Sarah

    • Knights: Sir Luce, Sir Russell, Sir Michael, Sir Humphrey

    • Kitchen Wench: A woman chased around the castle by King Sextimus

    • Emily (chambermaid)

    • Soldiers, Servants & Musicians

• OTHER IMPORTANT INFO

  • There is a $50 cast fee (due after cast list is posted); the fee cover scripts and essential production costs, like costume cleanings, to ensure a high-quality experience for everyone. In addition you will receive an RHT Season T-shirt.

  If you have any questions about this fee, please contact us prior to auditions at finance@rockhilltheatre.org.

  Disclaimer: Rock Hill Community is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing theatre experiences and education to Rock Hill and the surrounding community. Your participation in this performance(s) is considered to be on a volunteer basis, and no financial compensation will be provided.

“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. All authorized performance materials supplied by Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

Production Graphics by Alex Peña